Horizons

Up to 18 bird species (including the yellowhammer, grey partridge, quail, barn owl and corn bunting) are nearing extinction in Ireland. These are on the so-called red list, needing immediate action by conservation bodies to ensure their survival. Over 70 species are on what's known as the "amber list", requiring ongoing vigilance by all concerned about their future. And there are between 100 and 200 species on the green list, which are safe for the present. This information comes from the senior conservation officer with Birdwatch Ireland, Stephen Newson, who is an expert on Ireland's volatile bird population. Did you know, for example, that Ireland is home to a large chunk of the world population of Greenland white-fronted geese and palebellied Brent geese throughout the winter months? Find out more in a talk by Stephen Newson entitled "Rags and Riches - Ireland's changing birdlife" at Rochestown Lodge Hotel, Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Tel: 012804322.

Meanwhile, birdwatchers in the north Co Dublin area can enjoy sheltered viewing of birds throughout the rest of the winter from the Rogerstown Hide. Open and wardened every Saturday in January, February and March from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the hide is situated on the southern shore of the inner Liffey estuary. A converted shipping container, it has been decked out in style. It provides wonderful views of the inner estuary and across the estuary channel to the Birdwatch Ireland reserve. The intertidal mudflats, which extend to the base of the hide, provide a winter feeding area for thousands of waders and wildfowl. The hide is reached by taking the access route to the Fingal County Council garden allotments, off Turvey Avenue (one and a half miles north of Swords, off the N1). It is recommended that visitors park when they reach the allotments and walk the remaining half mile. Tel: 01-2804322.

Just before you undertake that massive post-Christmas clean-up and dump everything in your wheelie bin ready for collection, hold on a minute. If you are a Dublin city resident, you have an opportunity to recycle your Christmas cards, wrapping paper, cardboard, cans, glass and plastic at 10 depots around the city. Consider the fact that the average Irish family produces approximately 80 lbs of waste at Christmas before you pooh-pooh the extra work involved in getting your recyclable rubbish to one of these depots. The following depots will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Sunday, January 14th: Rathmines Waste Management Depot, Gulistan Road, Dublin 6; Davitt Road Waste Management Depot, Dublin 12; Ballyfermot Waste Management Depot, Kylemore Avenue, Dublin 10; The Former Corporation Pumping Station, Londonbridge Road, Dublin 4; Herzog Park, Orwell Road, Dublin 6; Collins Avenue Waste Management Depot, Dublin 9; Coolock Waste Management Depot, Oscar Traynor Road, Dublin 9; Alborough Parade Waste Management Depot, North Strand, Dublin 3; Stanley Street Depot, Dublin 7 and the Car Park Tennis Courts, All Saints Road, Dublin 5. Further details from www.dublincorp.ie

Isn't it just amazing what money from Europe can do? Three years ago, the Historic Heart of Dublin received £1.5 million from the European Article 10 Urban Pilot Project for its project to reverse urban decline and encourage preservation of houses, shops and streets in the city centre. Now, at the end of that three years, more than 3,000 exteriors and 150 interiors of buildings in Dublin city centre have been recorded. Restoration has been completed on selected buildings, including 27 Pearse Street, 24 Gardiner Place, 3 Mountjoy Square and 20 Lower Dominick Street, where decorative plasterwork was restored. Buildings still undergoing restoration are 2 St Andrew's Street and 9 Merchant's Quay. Number 4 Castle Street, the home of Dublin Civic Trust, has also been restored. One advantage of all this is that owners of listed buildings in the city centre can now obtain valuable information regarding restoration from the information booklets on plasterwork, joinery, windows and doors. The inventory information gathered by the Historic Heart of Dublin project is currently being put on a computer database for use as a planning tool for independent architects and planners, and Dublin Corporation.

Web world

www.ecotourism.org

IF you make a New Year's resolution to holiday in places not in danger of destruction from overcrowding, erosion or pollution, this is the site for you. Learn about the international ecotourism society, get some tips about ecologically safe tours, green modes of transport, eco-tourism, accommodation and lots more.

The Horizons column may be contacted at horizons@irish-times.ie